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5 Minutes for Books — The Host

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I have been wanting to read Stephanie Meyer’s vampire trilogy (which begins with Twilight) for some time now. They were originally written for Young Adult readers, but have gained an adult following as well.

No, I’m not into vampires, nor did I think that I would be into alien parasitic life forms that have conquered earth and are using human bodies as their hosts. . . but I was swept off my feet by The Host. From chapter one, all I wanted to do was keep reading until the story had reached its conclusion. With over 600 pages, it’s a good thing that I was reading it on a relaxing beach vacation, because I stuck with this thing and finished it within 24 hours. I’m not sure how I would have managed childcare, housekeeping and meal preparation on top of the desire to get to the end of the story.

I marvel at writers who can create something from nothing. Creating an original story about regular people is hard enough to do well, but to create a compelling human drama in the midst of a new reality–as Meyer has–is astonishing to me.thehostcover1.jpg

The Host is set on a futuristic earth where a colony of silvery worm-like life form who call themselves Souls have taken over control of Earth by inserting themselves into the human bodies. Generally that wipes out the personality of the human, and the Soul takes complete control, but when the soul Wanderer is implanted into host Melanie Stryder, things are a bit different. Melanie is one of the few humans left, a part of the resistance who are fighting hard to preserve their race. When Wanderer takes hold of Melanie’s brain, she continues to hear Melanie’s thoughts and desires. Melanie is angry by being trapped in her own body, and Wanderer is frustrated by her lack of complete control. The struggle between the two souls trapped in one body is compelling in a strangely relatable way. Caring about an alien and a rebel human surprised me, but I did become deeply vested in these characters, as well as those in the resistance cell that stumble upon.

Reading my description just doesn’t do this story justice. If you like a good suspenseful story with a little romance, an imaginative setting and real-life twists and turns, give this a try, even if sci-fi and fantasy aren’t what you normally read.

Another strong selling point of this novel is the lack of profanity or sex. Think the creative genius and storytelling ability of Stephen King without the backdrop of profanity and other vulgarities. You can read more about the author and an excerpt of the book at Stephanie Meyer’s website, which gives a tagline that sums it up for me describing her books, “Science fiction for people who don’t like science fiction.” The publisher’s website also includes an excerpt and a cool preview video.

If you’d like to win one of three copies of this book, leave a comment here. I’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.

The winners of Sweet Caroline are #72 Aubrey and #69 The Mamahood.

Reader Interactions


267 Comments

  3. Your complete absorbtion in this book is exactly how I felt about all three books in the Twilight series. I didn’t know there were other books by this author, but I’d love to check this one out.

  25. I’m an avid reader and I love something that will really keep me interested. I really want to read this.

  26. Both my twin daughters and I have read the Twilight series and are anxiously awaiting #4 in the series as well as the movie in December. Would love to read her other work. Thanks!

  33. The other books were so good and were actually books my daughter and I shared so we both want this one

  41. I ~LIKE~ science fiction. A lot. Shelves and shelves of paperbacks, and a steady turnover at the Library. And this looks/sounds good to me!

  45. Ever since I saw Ms. Meyer mentioned as the ‘next J. K. Rowling’, I have craved her books. I have ordered the first two, and hopefully can win this one to round it out 🙂

  47. Sounds great. I would really love to read. Just started reading the twilight series.

  50. I got hooked on Stephanie Meyer by reading my daughter’s Twilight series. I would love to win this book! I’ve been wanting to read it!

  56. I LOVED The Host! I just had to read it because I loved her Twilight series so much.

    When I first started reading The Host I was kind of leery because I’m NOT a sci-fi fan at all. But, I was quickly hooked on the story. Stephenie has a wonderful way of telling a story!!

    I’m recommending it to everyone I know! 🙂

  57. Can’t wait for the fourth Twilight book! So The Host will fulfill my needs til then.

  60. I love suspense! It’s one of my favorites. I’m not into horror but suspense is so much fun to read!

  63. I loved the Twilight series and agree that it is wonderful to read books without profanity and sex. It just proves that you can be entertained without them. Please enter me in your drawing. I would love to read The Host.

  80. The Twilight series is on my to buy list but it is not at the top yet, so this would be great.

  81. I just started reading Twilight- I had to see what all the talk is about. Can’t wait to read this one!

  84. Now this sounds like a book I can sink my teeth into. Definitely interested in the the occupation of humanity by alien body snatchers. Good job, I look forward to reading it. Thank you.

  86. I have read the Twilight series and am eagerly anticipating the release of Breaking Dawn in August.
    I would love to read The Host as it is most likely as good as her other books. Stephenie Meyer writes wonderful stories.

  88. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Twilight series and have been dying to read the host…but money is tight this month! I would love to win the book! Thanks for letting me enter!

  99. i actually just discovered her vampire books the other day and looked them up on my local library…all checked out!! would love this. thanks!

  100. My husband is a high school teacher and Stephanie’s books were recommended to him by several of his students. He loves them! I’d love to win this for him!

  103. I want this one sad bad! My daughter loves the Eclipse books, but I told her I have to read this one first. 🙂

  110. Stephanie Meyer is on my list of favorite authors. I’d love to win The Host. It would be a great read during long summer days at the pool.

  112. Now that’s a different plot. Would love to read the book. If I don’t win, I’ll have to check the library.

  114. I don’t know about a vampire books but the other posters reccommendations have peaked my interest. Please enter me.

  116. i hope i am eligible.

    i really want to have a copy of this book.

    please? 🙂

  118. Ooohh…sounds totally good. I have not read these books, but they sound interesting. Sign me up please?! Thanks for offering!
    ~Tanya
    the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com

  121. I’d love to win this, my 12 yr old daughter loves, loves her Twilight series and has them all!!

  122. I would to read one of her books! I keep seeing them and have just never tried one.

  126. i just recently heard about the host and its sounds sooo good. i will have to read the series.

  127. I’ve been interested in reading this series for a while. Thanks for the contest.

  140. I love Stephenie Meyer. I am a member of the Twilighters fan club. I’m waiting for her next book Breaking Dawn. I would love a copy of The Host to keep me busy until then. If it’s as good as her other books…I would love to read it. Thanks!

  152. Haven’t read any of her books, but the idea of a good story without the current prevalence of profanity and extreme sex would be welcome.

  155. I have heard so much about these books from my dd. She has been wanting to read them. Winning one would be great! 🙂

  157. Funny, I was just talking of these books to my husband yesterday, I would love to win… Thank you

  160. Your description was great! I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about “The Host” but I really wasn’t clear about the story line until you explained it. Now I really want to win!

  163. I saw this at borders yesterday and put it on my mental to read list! I’d love to win it 🙂

  164. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this novel. I’m anxious to read it and hope I win. Thanks for the chance!

  166. I have never read any of Stephanie Meyer’s books before, but I had the great pleasure of meeting her at a TV station in Utah a few weeks ago and she is an absolutely wonderful person! Very sweet and down to earth. I am now reading one of her Twilight Series books and love it. I would love to move on to The Host when I finish this one! Thanks

  167. I LOVE Stephenie Meyer! She’s one of my favorite authors, but I haven’t had a chance to read this one yet (they haven’t gotten it in at our library yet). I’ve heard that it’s very good, and I love to be entered in your contest. By the way, you really should read the Twilight series, some of the most easy to read but complex stories I’ve ever read. Thanks for the chance to win.

  170. This sounds like the perfect summer read – and a nice change from parenting magazines . . .

  171. OOHHH…sounds so interesting. Both my husband and I would really enjoy this book. Count me in…thanks :O)

  174. Sounds interesting. I’ve been known to like science fiction – and fantasy, and while I think most of Stephen King’s stuff is freak me out in the dark creepy, this sounds like more of an internal struggle than a creepy struggle.

  178. The author has had great success in the Teen genre; I look forward to reading her first foray into adult fiction.

  180. No profanity and no sex. Sign me up! Actually, it sounds like an intense plot with a strong, angry heroine. You go girl! I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Thanks very much…..Cindi

  181. I haven’t heard of this book before, but it feels like a good read.

  187. Ooh! I just finished reading Twilight, and I’m now a Stephenie Meyer fan. Thanks for the offer!

  194. I have this on hold at the library, but it would be so much better to actually own it!

  197. Wow, I would love to win a copy of this book. My step daughter and I both read all the vampire books and the story really is page turner and hard to put down. I would love to read this one too.

  201. I would love to win a copy of this book. I really getting back into reading. Made Hubby take tv out of our bedroom just so I would spend time in there reading not watching tv.

  202. This book sounds like a cool read… I like that it is suspenseful and romantic at the same time!

  204. This will give me something cool to read while I’m recovering from surgery!

  208. I love the Twilight series. (Just got done pre-ordering Breaking Dawn.)

    Haven’t read The Host yet, but it sounds intriguing. I didn’t think I’d be into a vampire book either, but I’m learning to try new things.

  211. It sounds like an allegory on our battle between the spirit and the flesh. I would love to read it!

  213. Nothing is better than a good, gripping book and a few minutes of peace and quiet to be able to read! Great giveaway!!

  215. I just read this by borrowing it from my sister! I’d love a copy to send to my Pop. He loves sci-fi. It’s a GREAT book! 🙂 She’s an awesome writer…

  217. My brother told me this was a good one. Looks like an interesting read! I wouldn’t mind having it to read for myself.

  218. OOH I want to read this! I haven’t finished the whole Twilight series yet, but I just got notice the second one is on hold for me at the library, finally. 🙂

  219. I’ve tried to get this book from the library, but all copies are being held. I’ve been wanting to read it since I heard about it, but it just hasn’t happened yet.

  221. Wow, this sounds like a great book. A mix of Sci-Fi Thrille with some real “human” interest.

  225. My daughter and I enjoyed reading “Twillight”, New Moon, and “Eclipse”. We are anxiously awaiting the “Twillight” movie. We would love to win and read “The Host”

  226. She is one of my favorite authors…I’m reading this book right now and you are so right…it’s excellent! I’m hoping to finish it sometime this week.

    It would make an excellent gift!

  239. I’ve heard about this book and have been wanting to read it. I love sci fi, and lately it’s become a bit of an obsession!

    Thanks 🙂

  242. As a librarian and mom/stepmom of 3 teen girls, I can vouch for the incredible popularity of this author! Even my non-reader devoured these books! Keep going Stephenie Meyer!

  251. My teens and I LOVE Stephanie Meyers. Thanks for the great review of The Host. I can’t wait to read it.

  253. I am currently finishing up Eclipse (3rd of the Twilight series books) and love Meyer’s writing style. She took vampire book to a new level for people who normally would not even consider it. I have heard amazing things about The Host and would love to have my own copy to read.

  254. My daughter loves the Twilight trilogy, she started a trend with her friends,when they saw her read the books they started reading the books too.

  255. I adored her Twilight trilogy and am anxiously waiting for the next book in August. I’d love to win this one!

  257. There are over 500 holds for this book at my library.
    sigh
    I would *LOVE* to win a copy of this book! I need a new book for my upcoming vacation!

  258. This definitely sounds like it will be a movie someday. I’d love to read the book before it becomes “famous” in the film industry. I’m sure it would keep me on the edge of my seat!

  260. I got hooked on her vampire series last summer and pretty much didn’t get anything done all week that I read them! But I definitely need a new book for my upcoming San Diego vacation and would love this one.

  261. I definitely love suspense story..I would rather read than watching it on the screen. And reading your descriptions makes my imagination works at all..Oh I really want to have it…Now I am looking forward to have The Host be part of my books collection. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Bing

    http://mygrowingdaughter.eachday.com

  262. That sounds great…I like that you mention it lacks the profanity and sex of so many other books these days. I like that so much more than books that are full of it!

  264. I LOVE the twilight Series and really want to read the Host. Stephenie’s novels really do suck you in!

  265. I’ve been wanting to read this! Unfortunately I’m #160 in the hold list at our library so it’s going to be months before I can get it through there 😛